MHL Future Stars: David Mnatsyan

After we talked with Samvel Mnatsyan, MHL Hockey is proud to introduce you his brother David, who currently plays for Avangard-93 and thus will be eligible to play in the MHL only next year. MHL Hockey thanks David for his time and his patience to take this interview.

Hi David. Tell our readers about yourself. Where were you born? Why did you choose hockey and not other kind of sports?

I'm David Mnatsyan, I'm 16 and I was born in Omsk. When I was 6 I went to my brother's training. More than everything I loved the passion and the emotions I could witness on ice. When I was a child I also liked football, but in my city that kind of sport isn't as developed as hockey. My city lives for Avangard Omsk.

I think that your dream is to become a hockey player, isn't it?

Yes, it is. Just like any other player I dream about playing in the world's best league, the NHL. And I hope to get that chance. That's my aim and I'm working for it.

How do you like to spend your free time?

I almost don't have any. That time is as valuable as gold. I like going to the movies or meeting friends. I also like a lot playing with the PS3. And there is the school too! It takes me a lot of time itself. I work hard to combine all this

What and where do you study?

I study in a sport class of a general education school. In that class go all my team mates. Our schedule is tied with out trainings and thanks to this we can go playing in other cities for away games.

Is there anything that you specifically work on during trainings?

I work a lot every day on shooting and skating. These are the most important components of a blue liner's game.

Do you pattern your game after a player in the NHL or in the KHL?

More than anyone I like Andrei Markov. I like how he plays back in the zone and how he joins the rush going forward.

How would you describe your personality?

I'm persistent, I believe in myself and I always want to win. If you have these quality you can do everything.

How many sticks did you use last season?

Around 10 to 12.

Favorite book?

I like Dan Brown's “Angels and Demons”.

Favourite dish?

Meat.

Favorite NHL team?

New York Rangers.

Favorite KHL team?

Avangard Omsk

Stanley Cup or Olympic Gold?

Stanley Cup.

Last question: who's better, you or your brother?

My brother has got talent, I won't argue. But I don't think my qualities are worse than his. I'll work hard to fullfil my expectations and I'll work hard to become better than him.

Q&A with Samvel Mnatsyan

MHL Hockey is proud to present you Samvel Mnatsyan, Omskie Yastreby's defenseman with junior national team experience. The 20-years-old defensive defenseman scored this year so far two points in fourteen matches. In this interview David talked about MHL's first season, about his play with the Hawks and about his life.


Hello Samvel. Where were you born and when you started playing ice hockey?

I was born in Omsk, and when I was seven my parents subscribed me to the hockey program.

What was your first team?

Avangard Omsk, the team of my city.

Why you picked hockey instead of other popular sports, like football or basketball?

The son of my father’s friend used to play hockey and my dad decided to make me play too. In Omsk hockey is definitely the most popular sport.

Can you resume quickly your career?

I played in “D.YU.S.SH.” (Russian system’s sports school) Avangard until I was 17, I was the team’s captain and I was also called to the Russian U-18 national team. In the last three years I played for Avangard’s junior-farm team.

Can you describe a little your game?

I am a defensive defenseman who can play physically.

Is there anything you try to specifically train?

At the end of any training session I and one of my team mates work out with shoots and skating.

How do you join sports and studies?

I study by correspondence, I’m always busy with lesson during the free time!

What current NHL/KHL player you pattern your game after?

In the NHL I like Anton Volchenkov and Dion Phaneuf, in the KHL I like Daniil Markov’s style.

Who is the player from the main team who helped you more in your career?

Evgeny Kurbatov. I do extra-work with him every day.

This is the MHL’s first season. How would you judge it?

I think that this is a big step forward for Russian hockey’s development. Now there is an increased attention on our league from fans and press. There was a rise in the organization’s level, the league became closer to the overseas analogues.

How would you describe your personality?

Kind-hearted, purposeful, hard-working.

Best moment of the season?

There is still nothing in particular that I can be proud of, but I’m sure that the best is in front of me!

And the worse?

The knock-out bowl we got from Sibirskie Snaipery. (Omskie Yastreby lost 7-0 to them on September 29th - ASR)

How's your typical day during the season?

I get up, have the breakfast, then training (on and off the ice), some day sleep is compulsory…evening training then if I can I meet up with friends and go to the movies.

How many sticks did you use this year?

Around twenty.

What do you think about the performances of Russian national team?

Nowadays Russia has the strongest national team of the world, I believe that they can win the gold in Vancouver!

Favourite movie?

Dumb and dumber with Jim Carey.

Favourite book?

Harry Potter.

Favourite dish?

Fried chicken with spaghetti.

Favourite NHL team?

Colorado Avalanche

Favourite KHL team?

Avangard Omsk

And last but not the least, Stanley Cup or Olympic gold?

Stanley Cup!